Sometimes you don’t need flowers. The leaves of this tropical beauty last far longer and are every bit as spectacular, brilliantly striped, streaked and splashed in cream, gold, purple and silver. And as if that wasn’t enough, they have the intriguing habit of opening their leaves at first light, then folding them up again once evening falls.
Calathea is straightforward to look after, happy in any shady corner where it can have steady warmth and moist air (spray occasionally with tepid water to keep humidity high). Feed regularly in summer, repot every two years and you’ll have a charming houseplant to share your space with for years to come.